Hi John,
SHORT VERSION:
Do you have any numbers to support your comments? Inquiring minds need to know.
LONGER VERSION: .... EDITORIAL, .... CAUTION, Read at your own risk
As a long time opponent to having an AMA site located in the NE part of the USA with WX that limits flying to less than 1/2 the year, and marginal WX the rest of the year, I would be pleased if you had numbers showing that the AMA nats at Brown's private flying field costs all the members money. I hope those that supply us with the AMA's numbers are honest enough to include the full cost and maintenance of the land in their accounting. The rational for this land is ONLY for the AMA nats. That is how it was sold to the NATIONAL membership who paid for it. So that expense (other than the admin offices) should be borne by the NE annual contest, AKA nats.
As to the comment that the field is open to AMA members for free, that is absurd. It is a NE field and should be paid for by those in the NE, not the rest of us who will never drive the 2,000+ miles to fly there. That is like me saying any AMA member is welcome to fly at our flying field (which they are), and then asking all AMA members to pay for the purchase and maintenance of our club field.
In the scheme of things, this is still a minor matter. The AMA dues are still a very good deal for the insurance alone. This insurance is critical in our quest to maintain flying sites on both private and public land throughout the country. The magazine is excellent, and the administration of our contests and rules is invaluable to those of us who compete in the many different parts of our hobby. I am a big fan of the AMA.
With the above said, it is still a thorn in my, and many others, side that Dave and his NE cronies picked a NE site for the AMAs only flying site. And then glued the Nats there.
I do understand that this is a very difficult issue. There are several parts to the problem. One is having a regional NE contest and calling it a "Nats". And the second is making it permenant. The third is having the audacity to put our only site in the very poor WX of the NE. Again, I am aware that this is a difficult issue to resolve. In fact, with all the money already spent, it may be a lost cause for all of us outside the NE part of the country.
After all is said and done, we may be stuck with this situation, and must learn to live with it. If John comes up with numbers showing that the NE nats do not cover all their costs, then we should all work toward getting the books balanced on this NE event. The rest of the country, especially the sport flyers, should NOT have to subsidize those of us who choose to compete. This is true of a local club event, or the NE regional (aka nats).
One solution is already taking place. That is to have large regional events like the VSC, NW regional, Brodaks, the Palmer in CA, the big events in the SE, etc. These events will continue to grow in stature and size and maybe the NE regional will then someday really be called what they are, the NE regional.
As an active CD for the past 30+ years, I believe that contests should make money, or at the very least always pay their own way. This is true at the local club level on up. I think this is why John asked his original question. It will be interesting to hear from John on this subject.
For the two people who have read this far, thank you for your patience.
Regards,
Topic: NATS - - What If (Read 6399 times)